Prawn Dum Biryani

I am going crazy over Biryani recipes and nowadays, it has become our King of Menu in my kitchen, especially on Sundays. Though the pain of cleaning prawns is little tough, the delicious taste of it after cooking will let down all the pain. The mild sweetness of the prawns and the spiciness in the masala blends so well in the rice and gives an Aromatic flavor. Prawns can also be fried before adding it to the biryani or it can also be added without boiling and frying. This is a flavorsome meal which can be served with Onion Raita or Brinjal Curry.

Ingredients :500 gms Prawns For Rice :

2 Cups Basmati Rice ( 400 gms)

4 Cups Water

1 Bay leaf

1 Elachi

1 Star anise

1/2 Inch Cinnamon stick

For Prawn Masala :

2 Bay leaves

1 Elachi

2 Star anise

1 Inch Cinnamon stick

250 gms Onions, sliced

150-200 gms Tomatoes, chopped

4 Green chillies, slitted

1/2 Cup Mint leaves and Coriander leaves, chopped

4-5 Tbsp Oil

1- 11/2 Inch Ginger Piece

10-15 Garlic pods

2 Tsp Chilli powder

1/2 Tsp Turmeric powder

11/2 Tsp Coriander powder

Salt to taste

Method :

Remove the shell, devein and wash the prawns. Keep aside.

Boil 4 Cups of water and add Bay leaf followed by Elachi and Star anise.

Once it starts boiling, add the rice and cook till it is half cooked / par boiled.

Drain the water and keep aside.

Meanwhile, add prawns in a pan and add a pinch of turmeric powder and little water.

Boil it for a minute and drain the water. keep aside.

Take ginger, garlic, handful of sliced onions and tomatoes and grind into a fine paste. keep aside.

Heat oil in a thick bottomed pan and add bay leaf followed by cinnamon, star anise and Elachi.

Add half the cup of mint and coriander leaves along with green chillies.